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chapter 11 Foreign relations
According to the Constitution of the Republic policy options, mechanisms and avenues of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), the for achieving objectives President is ultimately responsible for the • protecting South Africa’s sovereignty and foreign policy and international relations of territorial integrity South Africa. It is the prerogative of the • assisting South African citizens abroad. President to appoint Heads of Missions, South Africa’s diplomatic and consular receive foreign Heads of Missions and Missions help to enhance the country’s conduct State-to-State relations. international profile and serve as strategic According to the Department of Foreign mechanisms for the achievement of South Affairs‘ Strategic Plan for 2003 to 2005, the Africa’s international interests. Minister of Foreign Affairs is entrusted with South Africa maintains diplomatic relations the formulation, promotion and execution of with countries and organisations through 96 South Africa’s foreign policy, and the daily missions in 85 countries abroad, and through conduct of South Africa’s international the accreditation of more than 160 countries relations. The Minister assumes overall and organisations resident in South Africa. responsibility for all aspects of South Africa’s international relations in consultation with South Africa and Africa the President. Other Cabinet Ministers are required to Organisation of African Unity consult the Minister of Foreign Affairs on their (OAU)/African Economic international role, among others: Community (AEC)/African The Department of Foreign Affairs is Union (AU) responsible for: The OAU was established on 25 May 1963 in • monitoring developments in the interna- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after the signature of tional environment the OAU Charter by representatives of 32 • communicating government’s policy posi- governments. South Africa became the 53rd tions member in 1994. The aims of the Organisa- • developing and advising government on tion were, among others, to: • promote the unity and solidarity of African states On Africa Day, 25 May 2003, thousands of • defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity people attended the celebrations at and independence Johannesburg Stadium. Africa Day marked the • eradicate all forms of colonialism in Africa 40th anniversary of the Organisation of Africa Unity’s (OAU) existence. The OAU gave birth to • promote international co-operation, with the Africa Union in July 2002. due regard for the Charter of the United
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Nations (UN) and the Universal Declaration and Monetary Union, and creating and of Human Rights. electing the first Pan-African Parliament The Treaty Establishing the AEC, commonly (PAP) (five years). referred to as the Abuja Treaty, was signed on As more and more African countries attained 3 June 1991 and came into force after the their independence, it became evident that requisite ratification in May 1994. there was a need to amend the OAU Charter The Abuja Treaty provided for the AEC to be to streamline the Organisation. set up gradually by co-ordination, harmonisa- An Extraordinary Summit was held in Sirte, tion and progressive integration of the activi- Libya in September 1999 to amend the OAU ties of existing and future regional economic Charter, to increase the efficiency and effect- communities (RECs) in Africa. iveness of the OAU. This Summit concluded The implementation of the Abuja Treaty with the Sirte Declaration aimed at: introduced a process to be completed in six • effectively addressing the new social, politi- stages over 34 years, i.e. by 2028, as follows: cal and economic realities in Africa and the • strengthening existing RECs and creating world new ones where needed (five years) • fulfilling the people’s aspirations for greater • stabilising tariff and other barriers to region- unity in conforming with the objectives of al trade and strengthening sectoral integra- the OAU Charter and the Abuja Treaty tion, particularly in the fields of trade, agri- • revitalising the continental organisation to culture, finance, transport, communications, play a more active role in addressing the industry and energy, as well as co-ordinating needs of the people and harmonising the activities of RECs (eight • eliminating the scourge of conflict years) • meeting global challenges • establishing a free trade area (FTA) and a • harnessing the human and natural resources customs union at the level of each REC (10 of the continent to improve living conditions. years) To achieve these aims, the Summit decided to: • co-ordinating and harmonising tariff and • establish the AU in conformity with the non-tariff systems among RECs, with a view ultimate objectives of the Charter and the to establishing a continental customs union provisions of the Treaty establishing the AEC (two years) • accelerate the process of implementing the • establishing an African common market and Abuja Treaty in particular adopting common policies (four years) • shorten the implementation periods of the • integrating all sectors, establishing the Abuja Treaty African Central Bank and a single African • ensure the speedy establishment of all currency, setting up the African Economic institutions provided for in the Abuja Treaty,
South African Total Foreign representation Total representation abroad in South Africa Embassies/High Commissions 76 Embassies/High Commissions 107 Consulates/Consulates General 12 Consulates/Consulates General 53 Honorary Consulates 54 Honorary Consulates 7 Other (e.g. Liaison Offices) 4 Other (e.g. Liaison Offices) 4 Non-resident accreditations 101 Non-resident accreditations 15 International organisations 7 International organisations 23
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such as the African Central Bank, the African The main challenge in the first year of the AU’s Monetary Union, the African Court of Justice existence was setting up its priority structures and, in particular, the PAP and laying down the groundwork for the rest • strengthen and consolidate RECs as the of its proposed structures, as foreseen in the pillars for achieving the objectives of the Constitutive Act of the AU. AEC, and realise the AU The principal organs, namely the Assembly • convene an African Ministerial Conference of the Heads of State and Government, the on Security, Stability, Development and Co- Executive Council of Ministers and the operation. Permanent Representatives Committee, are The establishment of the AU was declared on fully functional. 2 March 2001 at the second Extraordinary By September 2003, the setting up of the Summit in Sirte. The transition period was Commission of the AU was in progress. concluded with the convening of the Inaugural The former President of Mali, Mr Oumar Summit of the AU in Durban from 9 to 10 July Alpha Konare, was elected the new chair- 2002. The objectives of the AU are, among person of the Commission, while Mr Patrick others, to: Mazimhaka of Rwanda was elected his • achieve greater unity and solidarity between deputy. African countries and the peoples of Africa According to an approved quota system, • defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity South Africa will be entitled to 22 posts in the and independence of its member states new Commission. The process was expected • accelerate the political and socio-economic to take up to three years. integration of the continent The appointment of members of the • encourage international co-operation, taking Commission also heralded the start of the due account of the Charter of the UN and meetings of the Specialised Technical the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Committees (STCs) which consist of relevant • promote peace, security and stability on the line-function Ministers. The Commissioners continent and their directorates will support the work of • promote democratic principles and institu- the STCs. tions, popular participation and good gover- Considerable progress was made on the nance ‘people’s organs’ of the AU, namely the PAP • promote and protect people’s rights and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council • establish the necessary conditions to enable (ECOSOCC). The PAP Protocol was ratified by the continent to play its rightful role in the 21 member states and required a further six global economy and in international negoti- ratifications before entering into force. ations ECOSOCC is a meeting of civil society and • promote sustainable development at eco- will come into being once its statutes have nomic, social and cultural level, as well as been approved. the integration of African economies The Protocol on the Court of Justice was • promote co-operation in all fields of human adopted by the Assembly in Maputo, activity to raise the living standards of African Mozambique in 2003. The Court of Justice will, peoples among others, adjudicate the interpretation of • advance the development of the continent the Constitutive Act of the AU. by promoting research in all fields The financial institutions – the African • work with relevant international partners Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund and in eradicating preventable diseases and the African Investment Bank – are expected to promoting good health on the continent. take longer to operationalise.
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Promotion of peace, security and Socio-economic development and stability on the continent integration of the continent The AU is responsible for the peaceful The AU will also be the principal institution resolution of conflict among member states, responsible for promoting sustainable through such appropriate means as may be development at economic, social and cultur- decided upon by the Assembly, which may al level, as well as the integration of give directives to the Executive Council on the African economies. RECs are recognised as management of conflict, war, acts of terrorism, the building-blocks of the AU, necessitating emergency situations and the restoration of the need for their close involvement in the peace. formulation and implementation of all AU Apart from the Assembly and the Executive programmes. Council, the other principal organ responsible To this end, the AU must co-ordinate and for peace, security and stability will be the take decisions on policies in areas of common Central Organ of the Mechanism on Conflict interest to member states, as well as co-ordi- Prevention, Management and Resolution. The nate and harmonise policies between existing Protocol on the Establishment of the Peace and future RECs, for the gradual attainment of and Security Council of the AU was adopted the objectives of the AU. at the Durban Summit in 2002 to replace the The STCs are responsible for the actual Mechanism on Conflict Prevention, Manage- implementation of the continental socio- ment and Resolution. economic integration process, together with The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the Permanent Representatives Committee. the AU will be established in terms of a Seven STCs will be established, namely Protocol. By September 2003, it had received the: 15 ratifications. It requires an additional 12 • Committee on Rural Economy and Agricul- ratifications, giving a simple majority of 27, tural Matters before it will enter into force. It was expect- • Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs ed that this would be achieved by January • Committee on Trade, Customs and Immi- 2004. gration Matters By September 2003, work on its sub- • Committee on Industry, Science and structures had progressed well. These will Technology, Energy, Natural Resources and involve the African Standby Force, the Panel Environment of the Wise, the Early Warning System, as • Committee on Transport, Communications well as a Peace Fund to support the and Tourism activities of the PSC. The Rules of Procedure • Committee on Health, Labour and Social of the PSC will also have to be concluded. Affairs Once the PSC has been established, the • Committee on Education, Culture and Executive Council is mandated to vote on its Human Resources. membership – five countries serving three years each and 10 countries serving two years Partnership with civil society each. Active involvement of African non-govern- Related to the PSC is the development of mental organisations (NGOs), socio-economic the Common African Defence and Security organisations, professional associations and Policy as mandated by the Durban Summit. A civil society organisations is required in Africa's Draft Framework has been developed and will integration process, as well as in the formula- need to be considered by the Ministers of tion and implementation of programmes of Defence and Security. the AU.
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New Partnership for Africa’s Foreign Affairs and Finance at their meeting in Development (NEPAD) Blantyre, Malawi, in September 2001, which The adoption of NEPAD is considered to be came to the conclusion that, in terms of rela- one of the most important developments of tionships, the SADC is part of and feeds into recent times for its conception of a develop- NEPAD, since the latter is premised on the ment programme, placing Africa at the apex of RECs. The Ministers recognised that NEPAD is the global agenda, by: a framework and process within the AU, while • creating an instrument for advancing the SADC is a recognised REC of the Union. people-centered and sustainable develop- The SADC participates, therefore, in both the ment in Africa based on democratic values AU and NEPAD. • being premised on the recognition that A major effort is ongoing to continuously Africa has an abundance of natural factor NEPAD imperatives into the outcomes resources and people who have the capa- of international conferences, such as the city to be agents for change, and so holds Conference on Financing for Development, the the key to its own development World Summit on Sustainable Development • providing the common African platform (WSSD) and the World Trade Organisation from which to engage the rest of the interna- (WTO), to ensure the integration of NEPAD into tional community in a dynamic partnership the multilateral system. In a wider context, that holds real prospects for creating a countries of the South subscribe to the better life for all. priorities outlined in NEPAD and have pledged While the principle of partnership with the rest their solidarity and moral support, as well as of the world is equally vital to this process, an appreciation for South Africa’s positive role such a partnership must be based on mutual in NEPAD. However, NEPAD does not have a respect, dignity, shared responsibility and mechanism for South-South co-operation. To mutual accountability. The expected outcomes this end, improved co-ordination with partners are: in the South should be pursued. • economic growth and development and At the inaugural Heads of State and increased employment Government Implementation Committee • a reduction in poverty and inequality meeting held in Abuja in October 2001, a • diversification of productive activities 15-member Task Force was established for • enhanced international competitiveness and the implementation of NEPAD. The following increased exports three-tier governing structure was accepted: • increased African integration. NEPAD is a mandated initiative of the AU. The Heads of State and Government NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee Implementation Committee is required to Chaired by Nigerian President, Mr Olusegun report annually to the Summit of the AU. The Obasanjo, with Presidents Abdoulaye Wade of chairperson of the AU, as well as the chairper- Senegal and Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria son of the Commission of the AU, are ex-offi- as vice-chairpersons, the Implementation cio members of the Implementation Commit- Committee comprises 15 states (three per AU tee. The Commission of the AU is expected to geographic region), including the five initiating participate in Steering Committee meetings. states: South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal The link between NEPAD and the Southern and Egypt. African Development Community (SADC) The main function of the Implementation Regional Indicative Strategic Development Committee is to set policies, priorities and the Plan (RISDP) was adopted by the Ministers of Programme of Action of NEPAD.
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Steering Committee Financial Standards/Capital Flows Initiatives; The Steering Committee is composed of the Egypt the Market Access and Agriculture personal representatives of the five initiating Initiatives; Algeria the Human Resource Presidents, and is tasked with the develop- Development (HRD) Initiative; and Senegal, the ment of the Terms of Reference for identified Infrastructure Initiative. programmes and projects, as well as over- During the Ordinary Summit in July 2003 seeing the Secretariat. in Maputo, President Thabo Mbeki handed over the leadership of the AU to Mozambican Secretariat President, Joaquim Chissano. The full-time core staff of the Secretariat, The second Ordinary Session of the AU located at the Development Bank of Southern Summit of Heads of State and Government Africa in Midrand, near Johannesburg, took place under the theme The Implemen- provides liaison, co-ordination, administrative tation of NEPAD as a Contribution to Africa's and logistical functions for NEPAD. Development. Five task teams were established to urgent- The NEPAD Implementation Committee ly identify and prepare specific implementable meeting prepared a report on the progress projects and programmes. In terms of working made in the implementation of NEPAD, and arrangements, South Africa is to co-ordinate reviewed the status of the NEPAD Secretariat the Peace, Security, Democracy and Political as well as interactions that the African leaders Governance Initiative; Nigeria, the Economic had with leaders of the developed North, with and Corporate Governance/Banking and a view to building strategic partnerships to ensure Africa's renewal. The AU’s mechanisms for peer review and conflict resolution reflect commitment to human rights, democratisation, good gover- In September 2003, infrastructure-development projects within the New Partnership for Africa’s nance, and peace and security as being in the Development (NEPAD) received a R25-million interest of Africans, irrespective of relations boost with the signing of an agreement between with industrialised countries. the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) The second meeting of the African Peer and the French Development Agency. The agreement provides for both parties to Review Mechanism (ARPM) Panel of Eminent mobilise necessary resources, either in foreign or Persons took place in Johannesburg, on local currencies, for investment in countries 3 October 2003. within sub-Saharan Africa. The ARPM is a process voluntarily acceded The projects to be taken into consideration will stem exclusively from the transport (road, to by the member states of the AU as an air, shipping and rail), energy (generation, African self-monitoring mechanism. transmission and distribution), information and The APRM requires that each country dev- communication technologies, as well as water elops a Programme of Action within the frame- and sanitation sectors. This facility, in the form of a grant, is assigned work of specific time-bound objectives. to finance NEPAD project studies, or any other It will enable participating member states to preparations. adopt policies and practices that conform to The DBSA has established the Africa Partner- ships Unit to promote the implementation of the agreed political, economic and corporate NEPAD’s vision and to provide further stimulus to governance values, codes and standards. It the Secretariat's endeavours. will also serve as a critical instrument for The Unit will interact and co-operate with advancing reforms in governance and socio- national, regional and international stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the NEPAD economic development, and in building Short-Term Action Plan. capacity to implement these reforms.
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One of the key objectives of the APRM is to Southern Africa identify the deficiencies in implementation, with a view to improving its compliance with Regional approach the Constitutive Act of the AU by member South Africa’s foreign policy with regard to the states. southern African region reflects a commitment to close diplomatic, economic and security Conference on Security, Stability, co-operation and integration, adherence to Development and Co-operation human rights, the promotion of democracy, in Africa (CSSDCA) and the preservation of regional solidarity, The first Standing Conference of Heads of peace and stability. State and Government on the CSSDCA took place during the 38th OAU Summit in Durban, Angola in July 2002. The signing of a ceasefire agreement in The Summit approved the CSSDCA Angola on 4 April 2002 with the Union for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) ended Security, Stability, Development and Co-opera- one of Africa’s longest and most devastating tion, affirming the centrality of the CSSDCA wars. process as a policy-development forum, a Subsequently, the Government of Angola framework for the advancement of common established the Parliamentary Commission on values, and a monitoring and evaluation Peace and Reconciliation (PCPR) with the aim mechanism for the AU. The MoU provides the of consulting with community representatives, following framework: church groups and civil society on the revival • core values concerning security, stability, of the peace process. development and co-operation South Africa, conscious of its obligation to • commitments to give effect to these core assist with political reconciliation and eco- values nomic reconstruction, sent Deputy President • key performance indicators to evaluate com- Jacob Zuma to Luanda during April 2002 pliance with the commitments in the MoU to consult with the Angolan Government • a framework of implementation as a means and to assess the country’s political and of carrying out the commitments contained material needs. The Deputy President also in the MoU addressed the PCPR and reiterated South • an agreed mechanism for measuring per- Africa’s commitment to assist Angola, when formance. called upon, with matters of national reconcil- While the strategic focus of the CSSDCA iation. process is to ensure good governance in the South Africa recognised that the future of political and economic realm, as well as to democracy and good governance in Angola provide the framework for development and hinged on the success of the peace process. co-operation in Africa, NEPAD serves as the A committee was set up, in accordance with socio-economic development blueprint for the a mandate from the Cabinet Lekgotla in July AU to implement its objectives. In addition, it 2002, to devise a strategy for South Africa’s serves as the mechanism for accelerating the humanitarian assistance to Angola. implementation of the Abuja Treaty. At the Subsequently, South Africa contributed same time, its management structures are maize and other humanitarian assistance to particularly designed to ensure follow-up and that country. implementation in the transition phase from The first meeting of the Joint Commission of the OAU to the AU. Co-operation (JCC) between South Africa and
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Angola took place in Pretoria on 28 February as stock theft, rural safety and border control. 2003. Several agreement proposals were The Minister of Environmental Affairs discussed, and an agreement on the waiving and Tourism, Mr Mohammed Valli Moosa, of visas for diplomatic and official passports launched the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier was signed by South Africa’s Minister of Conservation Project in Lesotho in August Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 2003. and the Angolan Minister for External The Project had been initiated in June Relations, Dr J.B. de Miranda. 2001 when the two countries concluded an During his visit, Minister de Miranda also agreement on the conservation of biological met with President Mbeki. diversity and the promotion of the sustainable development of the area. Lesotho In October 2002, the Ministers of Foreign Botswana Affairs of Lesotho and South Africa agreed that President Mbeki, accompanied by a delegation a donor conference should be convened to of six Ministers and senior government assist Lesotho in moving out of its current officials, paid a State Visit to Botswana from status of least-developed country, in line with 11 to 13 March 2003. The two countries the objectives of a Joint Bilateral Commission entered into the Agreement on the Establish- for Co-operation (JBCC). ment of a Joint Permanent Commission for By June 2003, the Department of Foreign Co-operation (JPCC), which was signed by Affairs was facilitating the process towards the the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two signing of the JBCC. A donor briefing took countries. place on 10 April 2003 in the capital, Maseru. The JPCC covers, among others, areas South Africa was represented by the Deputy such as agriculture and livestock, water Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, affairs, mining and tourism, environmental Ms Joyce Mabudafhasi. Key players within the co-operation, monetary and financial arrange- donor community as well as the private sector ments, transportation, roads, and infrastruc- attended. The briefing was aimed at soliciting ture development. international funding for various projects in History was made when President Mbeki Lesotho, which would promote the objectives became the first foreign President to address of the JBCC. the Botswana Parliament on 11 March 2003. Twenty-five projects identified by the The Minister of Transport, Mr Dullah Omar, Lesotho Government, which were introduced and his Namibian and Botswana counterparts, in detail to the participants, are aimed at signed a MoU on the development and man- creating employment and alleviating poverty agement of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC) in Lesotho. These include agricultural, tourism, in September 2003. mining and infrastructure-development pro- The TKC was formally established in 1998 jects. following the completion of the Trans- A donor conference was envisaged for the Kgalagadi Highway in Botswana, which links latter part of 2003. the three countires by road. In February 2003, the Minister of Safety and One of the main benefits of the TKC is that Security, Mr Charles Nqakula, led a South it links the three countries with the port of African Ministerial delegation to Lesotho for Walvis Bay. The port is the western seaboard talks on the tightening of security at border in southern Africa and is in the closest posts separating the two countries. The dis- proximity to shipping routes and markets in cussions focused on cross-border crimes such the Americas and Europe.
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Malawi resources of the Inkomati and Maputo water Malawi was the first independent African courses, the Trilateral Treaty on the Great country with which South Africa established Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), the formal diplomatic, in 1967. Upon South Africa’s CFM/Spoornet Concession on the Ressano return to the Commonwealth, relations with Garcia railway line, as well as the South Africa- Malawi were conducted at the level of High Mozambique Labour Co-operation Agreement. Commission. Current bilateral relations The close bilateral relations are also between the two countries are friendly and facilitating the successful implementation of expanding within the SADC regional context. several phases of Operation Rachel, aimed at Malawi is one of South Africa’s main trading the non-proliferation of small arms, which saw partners in the southern African region. Like more than 1 000 tons (t) of small arms, land- other African trading partners, the trade imbal- mines and unexploded devices destroyed, as ance with Malawi is in favour of South Africa. well as those of other cross-border security- South African-based companies, following related operations. the trend in most African countries, are Both the South African and Mozambican becoming increasingly interested in linking up Governments view the expansion of the infra- with and establishing a presence in Malawi, structural links between the two countries as ranging from the finance, telecommunications one of the priority bilateral co-operation areas. and retail sectors to those involved in the The rail and road connections between the construction industry. two countries serve as the main arteries linking the respective economies. Mauritius The upgrading of the road, sea and rail links Relations with Mauritius are on a very cordial that form part of the corridors between footing, with Mauritius being one of South Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Africa’s largest trading partners within the Mozambique is central to the promotion of the SADC. Mauritius is also a very popular des- economies of both countries. tination with South African tourists. The Maputo Development Corridor Project Bilateral relations are also targeted at has already attracted substantial new invest- improving co-operation within the SADC ments in Mpumalanga, and is expected to framework. boost the Mozambican economy to an equal degree. Mozambique In accordance with the SADC’s current The South African Government supports the initiatives and efforts to bring about regional democratically elected Government of economic integration, South Africa and Mozambique under the leadership of President Mozambique have made substantial progress Chissano, and continues with initiatives aimed in the implementation of so-called border- at strengthening bilateral relations and the lands and transfrontier conservation initiatives. democratic reconstruction and development These are the Lubombo Spatial Development processes under way in that country. Initiative, the GLTP, as well as the Beira and Continuous bilateral interaction with the Nacala Corridors, which are in various stages Mozambican Government has culminated in of development. the signing of several bilateral agreements, The development of these Corridors and which include, among others, sport and borderlands are aimed at exploiting the recreation, customs administration, maritime opportunities and advantages to be derived air-search and rescue, air services, agriculture, from countries seeking increased convergence the protection and utilisation of the water and integration across borders – the sharing
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of infrastructure, facilities, natural and human • Walvis Bay Development Corridor initiative resources, as well as enhanced capacity to • Trans-Gariep and Ouzit tourism projects market the region and lobby internationally for • Kudu Gas and Western Corridor projects foreign investment in these projects. • implementation of the SADC Trade Protocol A number of quarterly South Africa/ and the Southern African Customs Union Mozambique bilateral meetings played a (SACU) renegotiation. pivotal role in the successful implementation South Africa is the source of between 80% and of all the respective bilateral macro-economic 90% of Namibia’s imports by value, including projects in Mozambique. virtually all commodities. Bilateral trade between the two countries accounts for two- Namibia thirds of Namibia’s total foreign trade. The relationship between South Africa and Namibia remains close and is marked by co- Swaziland operation in various areas. In June 2003, South Africa was planning to Defence and security co-operation between establish a JBCC with the Kingdom of Swazi- South Africa and Namibia was further boosted land to structure formal bilateral interaction. by the second meeting of the South Africa- Swaziland has made considerable progress Namibia Joint Commission on Defence and towards the creation of a new constitution. Security, which took place in Windhoek, Namibia in October 2002. Zambia Economic co-operation was the subject of Long-standing Zambian support for the libera- a Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting tion struggle in South Africa led to the estab- between President Mbeki and his Namibian lishment of a deep mutual bond between the counterpart, Dr Sam Nujoma, in Pretoria on people of South Africa and Zambia. 18 March 2003. Trade between the two countries has In August 2003, Presidents Mbeki and increased dramatically since the establish- Nujoma signed a treaty in Windhoek for the ment of formal relations on 10 May 1993. Both establishment of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld countries are taking advantage of existing Transfrontier Park. The 7 000 km2 cross-border bilateral agreements to foster relations, which Park features the world’s second-largest is evident in the annual increase of trade and canyon in the Fish River, a hot-spring game investment flow between them. park on the Namibian side and spectacular Zambia is one of the major supporters of arid and desert mountainous scenery on the NEPAD and its commitment to peace-keeping South African side. efforts by South Africa is a clear indication of The treaty will result in Namibian and South the country’s interest in the continent. African tourism authorities encouraging public and private investment in the Park and Uganda cross-border tourism, which is expected to In July 2003, Deputy President Zuma met with grow from 660 000 annual visitors to a million President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda. tourists per year. The meeting was the first in the Deputy The signing took place after the fifth Meeting President's three-day visit to the Great Lakes of Heads of State and Government of South region, for consultations regarding the Burundi Africa and Namibia on Bilateral Economic transitional process and the security situation Co-operation in August 2003 in Windhoek. in that country. President Museveni is the Other issues discussed at the Meeting chairperson of the Great Lakes Heads of State included the: Regional Initiative of Burundi.
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Kenya ue with their work in the context of existing There is a high level of engagement between SADC decisions, which in many instances coin- South Africa and Kenyan institutions aimed at cide with those taken by the Commonwealth. strengthening democratic and constitutional South Africa donated R93,5 milion through systems. the World Food Programme to improve food Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki, paid an security in Zimbabwe. The country furthermore official visit to South Africa in August 2003. donated R12 million to Zimbabwe to purchase Talks between President Mbeki and his Kenyan vaccine/drugs to curb the spread of foot-and- counterpart focused on political, economic mouth disease in Zimbabwe and the region. and peace processes, global terrorism, and trade relations. Mr Kibaki was the first Kenyan Development co-operation President to visit South Africa. Although South Africa is not a donor country, On 6 September 2003, Deputy President development co-operation with countries in Zuma attended the funeral of the late Africa is an integral part of South Africa’s Vice-President of Kenya, Mr Michael Kijana foreign policy. Assistance is wide-ranging and Wamalwa. includes educational visits by agriculturists, Kenya is South Africa’s largest trading part- the establishment of viable training centres, ner on the continent beyond the SADC region. conservation of the environment, the render- South African exports to Kenya in 2002/03 ing of medical assistance, and technology- totalled R2,3 billion. exchange programmes. Technical and finan- cial assistance, with a view to capacity- Zimbabwe building, especially to SADC countries, is a South Africa and Zimbabwe, besides their major instrument for promoting economic geographic proximity, have a common and development, peace and stability, democracy, long history of regional affiliation and cultural and the African Renaissance, on a regional ties. The people of Zimbabwe have played an basis. important historic role in support of the liberation struggle in South Africa against the South Africa and the Southern system of apartheid. African Development Community South Africa is part of the Commonwealth The Government’s vision for the southern of Nations, and its policy on Zimbabwe is in African region involves the highest possible line with the decisions made by the Common- degree of economic co-operation, mutual wealth Chairpersons’ Committee meeting held assistance, and joint planning consistent with in March 2002, and informed by specific socio-economic, environmental and political aspects of the Commonwealth Observer realities. Within the region, the SADC will of Group Report on the elections in Zimbabwe. necessity remain the primary vehicle for South South Africa is working with the international African policy and action to achieve regional community to assist the people of Zimbabwe economic development. in solving their problems. Originally known as the Southern African The Joint Commission for Economic, Development Co-ordination Conference, the Scientific, Technical and Cultural Co-operation SADC was formed in Lusaka, Zambia, on between South Africa and Zimbabwe was 1 April 1980, following the adoption of the revived in November 2002 to strengthen Lusaka Declaration. The Declaration and Treaty bilateral relations. establishing the SADC was signed at the South Africa also relies on the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Ministerial Task Team on Zimbabwe to contin- on 17 August 1992 in Windhoek.
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The aim of the SADC is to provide for region- through secondment of officers to the direc- al peace and security, sectoral co-operation torates, and funds from international co- and an integrated regional economy. The SADC operating partners for financing key activi- member states are Angola, Botswana, the ties relating to the restructuring exercise Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), • the establishment of SADC National Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Committees in most member states Namibia, the Seychelles, South Africa, • the completion of the formulation of the Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. SADC RISDP South Africa, through the Department of • the adoption and operationalisation of the Foreign Affairs and other relevant departments, study on the implementation of the new continues to actively participate in the work of SADC structure. the SADC Review Committee, as well as The Summit also approved the RISDP and the contributing towards the SADC Plan of Action Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ, and for the following 10 years, in particular its called for the co-ordination and rationalisation RISDP. The effective operationalisation of the of the two plans to maximise their inherent SADC’s security/stability mechanism under- synergies. pins the RISDP. Implementation of the RISDP Implementation of the SADC operational within the context of NEPAD will enhance structure was expected to commence in April the standing of the region internationally, 2004. and allow it to become the leading regional By September 2003, 12 protocols had been economic community on the continent. ratified and entered into force. These were the: The SADC Heads of State and Government • Protocol on Immunities and Privileges Summit was held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, • Protocol on Shared Watercourse Systems from 25 to 26 August 2003. • Protocol on Energy At the Summit, President Benjamin Mkapa • Protocol on Transport, Communications and of Tanzania was elected chairperson of the Meteorology SADC, and the Prime Minister of Lesotho, • Protocol on Combating Illicit Drugs Prof. Pakalitha Mosisili, was elected to chair • Protocol on Trade the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security • Protocol on Education and Training Co-operation. South Africa was elected deputy • Protocol on Mining chairperson of the Organ. • Protocol on the Development of Tourism During the Implementation of the Review of • Protocol on the Tribunal the Operations of SADC Institutions, which • Amendment Protocol on Trade began in March 2001, the following tasks were • Protocol on Fisheries. completed: Eleven additional protocols still need to be rat- • the establishment of all four directorates at ified before entering into force. the Secretariat, namely: - Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment Implementation of the - Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources SADC Trade Protocol - Infrastructure and Services The SADC Protocol on Trade entered into force - Human and Social Development, and on 25 January 2000. The objectives of the Special Programmes Trade Protocol are to further liberalise intra- • the operationalisation of the Integrated regional trade in goods and services, on the Committee of Ministers basis of fair, mutually equitable and beneficial • the mobilisation of resources in the form of trade arrangements; ensure efficient produc- human resources from member states, tion within the SADC, reflecting the current and
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dynamic comparative advantages of its mem- stage transformation rule similar to the bers; contribute towards the improvement of a Rules of Origin contained in the South Africa- climate for domestic, cross-border and foreign European Union (EU) Agreement on Trade, investment; enhance the economic develop- Development and Co-operation. In practical ment, diversification and industrialisation of terms, it means that clothing will be originated the region; and establish an FTA in the SADC only if the fabrics used are manufactured in region. At the core of this agreement is the the SADC region. reduction and ultimate elimination of After the Committee of Ministers for Trade tariffs and non-tariff barriers and the setting directed the SADC trade-negotiating forum to up of Rules of Origin. This will happen over a discuss product-specific Rules of Origin and period of eight years, after the ratification of negotiate their specific formulation, the SADC the Protocol by member states. member states that are not part of SACU Since the signing of the Trade Protocol, accepted the product-specific Rules of Origin, several rounds of negotiations have taken with the exception of those applying to the place. The main issues around which the nego- clothing and textile sector. tiations centered were modalities for tariff The SADC Committee of Ministers responsi- reduction and tariff structure, and customs ble for Finance and Investment met on and trade. 7 August 2003 in Gaborone, Botswana, to On the issue of customs co-operation and discuss developments in the region, consider trade facilitation, member states agreed on the some MoUs, and review progress on the harmonisation, simplification and standardisa- implementation of the signed MoUs on macro- tion of SADC customs and trade documenta- economic convergence, tax and related tion and procedures. matters. SADC member states undertook to deposit their instruments of implementation of the SADC relations with international SADC Trade Protocol on or before 1 September co-operating partners 2000. South Africa and Mauritius were the first The SADC’s main international co-operating member states to sign and deposit their partners are the EU and the United States instruments of implementation. All member of America (USA). The SADC-US Forum was states, with the exception of Angola, the DRC established in 1999 to identify projects of and Seychelles, have now deposited their mutual benefit. The Forum meets annually for instruments of implementation of the Trade discussions on the political and security Protocol. situation in the region, and to identify, evaluate Negotiations are continuing on the out- and assess progress in areas of co-operation standing issues of Rules of Origin, particularly agreed upon. It is focused on the building of in those areas where consensus has not been capacity towards the implementation of the reached. South Africa maintains the position SADC Trade Protocol and FTA. The main focus of that each chapter under the Harmonised co-operation of the SADC-US Forum is in the Systems Code should have a product-specific spheres of non-proliferation of small arms and rule. This formulation will ensure the effective light weapons, and mine action programmes. administration of the agreement by customs Co-operation with other regional role- authorities, and provide exporters with a players such as the Nordic countries and single, clear set of Rules of Origin for each SADC-Mercusor remains to be fully realised. chapter. There is a need for the SADC to establish For clothing and textiles, the Rules of Origin closer co-operation with other regional tabled by South Africa were based on a two- economic organisations on the continent, e.g.
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the Economic Community of West African Burundi Government and the Forces for the States (ECOWAS), to promote cohesion and Defence of Democracy on 9 October 2003, harmonisation of common approaches to which ended years of conflict. Africa’s challenges. President Mbeki and Deputy President Zuma hosted and facilitated consultations Relations with central Africa aimed at working out the areas of participation South Africa’s diplomatic relations with central and integration between the two parties in Africa have been dominated by attempts to Pretoria, on 5 October 2003. bring peace to the DRC, thereby ensuring greater stability in the whole of the central Democratic Republic of the Congo African region. Since the beginning of the conflict in the DRC It was expected that relations with the in August 1998, South Africa has played an region would improve as peaceful conditions active role in attempting to bring peace to this returned to the DRC and opportunities for vast country and the Great Lakes region of trade and investment with the countries of the central Africa. South Africa was a major role- world intensified. player in negotiating and drafting the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and was present when Gabon and Equatorial Guinea the documentation was signed on 10 July A multidisciplinary technical visit of senior offi- 1999. cials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, At the end of 2002, a ground-breaking Housing, Transport, Minerals and Energy, and peace agreement brokered by South Africa Justice and Constitutional Development was was signed between the Governments of the undertaken to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, DRC and Rwanda. The agreement paved the from 28 September to 4 October 2002. The way for the withdrawal and disarming of principal objective of the visit was to identify Rwandan troops from the DRC, and the repa- areas of co-operation between South Africa triation of the Interahamwe and the Rwandan and these two countries. former army (ex-FAR). The agreement assigned the role of Third Rwanda Party to the UN Secretary-General and the Relations between South Africa and Rwanda South African Government, the latter in its are good. Co-operation between the two capacity as facilitator and then chairperson of countries focuses on the post-conflict recon- the AU. The Third Party Verification Mechanism struction of Rwanda and has extended to the (TPVM) was established to act as the co-ordination of NEPAD on the continent. Secretariat for the Third Party, and its task On 12 September 2003, President Mbeki was to monitor and verify the implementation attended the inauguration of Rwandan of the agreement. The TPVM comprised four President, Mr Paul Kagame, following his representatives from South Africa and two victory in the country’s parliamentary elections from the UN Secretary-General. on 29 September 2003. The final plenary session of the Inter- Congolese Dialogue (ICD), attended by 361 Burundi delegates, representing the DRC Government, South Africa’s good relations with Burundi are the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD- demonstrated by the leading role the South Goma), the Congolese Movement for African Government played in the peace- Liberation (MLC), the unarmed political negotiation process that culminated in the opposition and civil society, took place at Sun signing of the peace agreement between the City in the North West in April 2003. During the
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plenary session, the Global and Inclusive Relations with North and West Agreement on the Transition in the DRC and Africa and the Horn of Africa the Transitional Constitution was endorsed. The countries of North and West Africa and the This made provision for the establishment of a Horn of Africa are becoming increasingly transitional government, with the Congolese important trading partners for South Africa, as President, Mr Joseph Kabila, as Head of State well as important partners within the context for a period of two years. of the AU/AEC. The Vice-Presidents nominated were Mr South Africa maintains diplomatic relations Yerodia Abdoulaye Ndombasi of the DRC with all states in the West African subregion, Government, Mr Azarias Ruberwa of the RCD- although it maintains residential diplomatic Goma, Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba of the MLC and Missions only in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Prof. Arthur Zahidi Ngoma of the unarmed Côte d’Ivoire. The South African Embassies in political opposition. Abidjan and Dakar are responsible for South During the closing ceremony on 2 April Africa’s non-residential relationship with the 2003, about 44 delegates, representing the five rest of the West African subregion. The place- components of the ICD, signed the Final Act. ment of South Africa’s diplomatic Missions in The Final Act comprises a Preamble, four this area represents the importance South Articles, and the 36 Resolutions adopted Africa attaches to those states as partners in during the plenary session of the ICD. In the Africa, and their use as a platform for the Preamble and Articles, the signatories further expansion of South Africa’s diplomatic committed themselves to being bound by the reach into the subregion. decisions and agreements of the ICD. States in West Africa that are on the path The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, in towards reinforcing a democratic culture, his second report to the UN’s Organisation such as Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Sierra Leone, Mission in the DRC (MONUC), which was Cape Verde and Mali, represent a positive presented to the UN Security Council on development for South Africa. Sierra Leone 4 June 2003, recommended that the mandate and Niger, both emerging from difficult of the peace-keeping mission in the DRC be periods, also offer potential for democratic extended until 30 June 2004. consolidation. Mr Annan further recommended that its South Africa continues to bridge its long- military strength be increased to 10 800 distance relationship with West Africa by members. engaging in more meaningful actions in the At the time, MONUC had about 4 600 troops subregion, in terms of political dialogue throughout the DRC, most of whom were and economic co-operation. The business unarmed logistical support troops. community in South Africa is demonstrating a keen interest in the subregion, and has been Tanzania actively exploring and taking advantage, Agreements between South Africa and Tanzania where possible, of opportunities in mining, include the: infrastructure, telecommunications and finan- • MoU on Co-operation in Industry and Trade cial services, as well as the trade of consumer Programmes goods and capital equipment. • General Agreement on Co-operation in the Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Algeria Fields The third Session of the Binational Commis- • Exchange of Notes to Establish Represen- sion (BNC) of Co-operation between South tative Offices. Africa and Algeria, the only BNC at Presidential
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level in Africa, was held in Algiers from tions with Cote d’Ivoire in May 1992. 17 to 23 October 2002. Given South Africa’s firm commitment to The BNC serves as a framework for bilater- the African Renaissance and its attendant al relations between the two countries in features of stability and democratisation on various sectors. the continent, the events in Cote d’Ivoire, since President Mbeki and President Bouteflika the rebellion of September 2002, are of major expressed satisfaction with the quality of the significance. South Africa has pledged to assist relations of friendship, solidarity and co-opera- Cote d’Ivoire in its process of national reconcil- tion that exist between the two countries. iation, and to work through the ECOWAS and The period 2002/03 witnessed various the AU in an attempt to assist the country to exchanges between South African and Algerian resolve conflict. delegations, in line with commitments made in Cote d’Ivoire is South Africa’s largest trading the Plan of Action. These included, among partner in Francophone West Africa. others, a visit to South Africa by a delegation from the Algerian National Archives, a visit to Egypt Algeria by a delegation from the South African Bilateral political and economic relations Department of Health, and a visit to South between Egypt and South Africa have Africa by a delegation from the Algerian Ministry improved greatly in recent years. These of Transport. An Algerian delegation travelled to improvements were underlined in April South Africa in February/March 2003 for the 1996 with the convening of the First Annual first meeting of the Joint Algeria/South African Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) Meeting Committee on Water and Forestry. in Cairo. On the request of President Mbeki, a South During 2002, the South African Mission in African rescue team was despatched to Algeria Cairo focused much of its attention on devel- to assist with rescue operations following a opments in the Middle East and Egypt’s role in devastating earthquake in May 2003, which the region. Egypt, as a member of the NEPAD left more than 2 000 people dead and 8 000 Steering Committee, continued to play a role injured. in the implementation and functioning of The team comprised members of the fire, NEPAD. An Egyptian official was seconded to rescue, engineering and medical staff of the the NEPAD Secretariat. South African National Defence Force, the The South African Ministries of Intelligence South African Police Service, the Tshwane, and Water Affairs and Forestry visited Egypt for Ekhurhuleni and Johannesburg Metro muni- bilateral and multilateral purposes. cipalities, as well as representatives from The Mission in Cairo, together with a bi- two NGOs, Rescue South Africa and Global lateral desk, arranged for a group of Egyptian Relief. journalists to visit South Africa in an attempt South Africa was one of 38 international to promote the country as a tourist destina- rescue teams that assisted with the rescue tion. operations. Several agreements were signed between The positive relationship between South South Africa and Egypt during the sixth Africa and Algeria has seen significant growth session of the South Africa-Egypt JBC in in South African exports to Algeria, from about Pretoria during July 2003. R230 million in 2000 to R560 million in 2002. These included agreements on: • co-operation between the South African Cote d’Ivoire Government and the Egyptian Foreign South Africa established full diplomatic rela- Ministry
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• co-operation between the Foreign Service the Liberian President, Mr Charles Taylor, Training Institute and the Egyptian Diplomatic handed over power to the Vice-President, Mr Training Institute Moses Blah, in Monrovia, Liberia on 11 August • co-operation in the fields of health and 2003. pharmaceuticals President Mbeki, in his capacity as then • cultural co-operation chairperson of the AU, had been involved in • tourism co-operation efforts to bring about peace and stability in • the MoU between the South African Broad- Liberia early in 2003. casting Corporation (SABC) and the Egyptian Broadcasting Authority. Nigeria South Africa’s bilateral and multilateral Sudan relationship with Nigeria remains of strategic South Africa reaffirmed its support for Sudan importance, particularly in the light of the in its quest for peace, at a dinner held in development and promotion of NEPAD. Nigeria honour of the Sudanese Vice-President, serves as the chairperson of the Heads of Mr Omar Hassan El-Bashir, in Pretoria in State and Government Implementation February 2003. Committee of NEPAD, and is involved in the evolution of mechanisms around the AU. Morocco At bilateral level, trade continues to The first JBC Meeting with Morocco took place increase, with the total of two-way trade in Pretoria in 1988. Negotiations are under way reaching R3,3 billion in 2001 and R3,7 billion to finalise dates for the second session of the between January and June 2002 alone. South JBC. African companies continue to establish The Moroccan monarch, King Mohammed themselves in a number of sectors (e.g. hospi- VI, as Head of State of Morocco, and a tality, financial services, communications and Moroccan delegation attended the WSSD in energy) in the Nigerian market. The South Johannesburg in July and August 2002. Talks Africa-Nigeria BNC, which was established in took place between King Mohammed VI and October 1999, held its fourth session in President Mbeki during the course of the Pretoria in March 2002. Summit. During the session, an additional four South Africa participated in the fifth agreements (on co-operation in the fields of Biregional Africa/Europe Meeting, which was extradition, mutual legal assistance in criminal held in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, during matters, immigration and health) were signed, September 2002. bringing to 15 the total number of bilateral agreements concluded between South Africa Mauritania and Nigeria. Mauritanian President, Maaouiya Ould Sid’ The fifth Annual Session of the BNC was Ahmed Taya, attended the Inaugural Summit of scheduled to be held in Abuja during the the AU in 2002 in Durban, as well as the WSSD. second half of 2003. In January 2003, President Taya sent a Following President Mbeki’s State Visit to special envoy to South Africa for consultation Nigeria in September 2001, President on multilateral issues. Obasanjo undertook a return State Visit to South Africa in February 2003, during which Liberia the two Heads of State discussed not only President Mbeki and the Minister of Foreign the bilateral relations between South Africa Affairs attended the ceremony during which and Nigeria, but also issues relating to the
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promotion and implementation of NEPAD and preserve the manuscripts. The fund was the institutionalisation of the AU. expected to raise about R36 million over a In May 2003, President Mbeki attended the five-year period. inauguration of President Obasanjo, a month Economic relations between the two after the latter had been elected for a second countries are good and South Africa continues five-year term. to pursue and strengthen such relations. Two mining companies run operations in Mali, Ghana namely Anglogold and Randgold. Diplomatic relations between South Africa Various agreements have been signed and Ghana continue to improve. Ghana is a between Mali and South Africa. stable democracy with immense potential. The country represents a neutral island of stability Senegal with no geopolitical interest in the volatile Representative offices were established in West African subregion. In recent years, South November 1993 in Pretoria and Dakar. Full African imports from and exports to Ghana diplomatic relations between South Africa have increased, placing greater importance on and Senegal were established in May 1994. that country as an important trading partner After having closed its Embassy in Pretoria in for South Africa. Both countries maintain High December 1995, the Senegalese authorities Commissions in each other’s capitals. re-established an Embassy in Pretoria during 2001. Mali The South African Ambassador is resident in The Department of Foreign Affairs established Dakar, Senegal. The Ambassador is accredited a residential diplomatic Mission in Mali’s to Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Cape Verde, capital, Bamako, in November 2002. Gambia and Guinea-Bissau on a non-residen- The two countries are involved in a joint tial basis. Presidential project for the preservation of Senegal continues to play a very active role the ancient manuscripts at the Ahmed Baba in the development and implementation of Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic NEPAD. Research in Timbuktu. The project was official- ly launched by the South African and Malian Tunisia Heads of State during the Africa Day celebra- A meeting of senior officials, in preparation for tions in Johannesburg, on 28 May 2003. the fourth session of the JBC between Tunisia The project, the first of its kind on the and South Africa, was held in Pretoria early in African continent, involves the training of 2003. Malian archive officials in South Africa, and Parallel to the senior officials’ meeting, a the eventual construction of a new centre in meeting of the Tunisian-South African Business Timbuktu, where the ancient manuscripts will Forum was held. be preserved. This meeting brought together business In May 2003, the Minister in The Presidency, leaders from various sectors. Dr Essop Pahad, together with the Malian The senior officials’ meeting accorded both Minister of Education, Mr Mohamed Lamine delegations the opportunity to review the Traore, launched a trust fund in Pretoria state of bilateral relations between the two for the preservation of the Timbuktu manu- countries, and to compare notes on the scripts. global and regional situation. The trust fund will finance the building of a Bilateral co-operation in the following areas library with the necessary technology to was discussed: agriculture, trade and industry,
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arts and culture, minerals and energy, health, South Africa has 15 residential Missions in the immigration, sport, vocational training, and Asian and Australasian region. employment. Furthermore, 16 countries from this region The delegations noted the good progress currently maintain 31 diplomatic, consular and made with regard to the implementation of other Missions in South Africa, compared with existing agreements. the three that existed prior to 1994. Since 1994, South Africa has continued Libya to strengthen its relations with the region The first session of the South African-Libyan through increases in two-way trade; personal JBC was held in Tripoli in June 2002. The exchanges between high-level dignitaries; session presented an opportunity to further and the finalisation of new instruments of co- strengthen bilateral relations between the two operation in the scientific and technological countries, and jointly promote unity, peace, fields, through technology transfer, invest- security and development on the African ments and overseas development assistance continent. (ODA) in capacity-building. Co-operation was discussed in the areas of South Africa’s successful transition to minerals and energy, agriculture and animal democracy also prompted the parties involved health, transport, communications, trade and in the Sri Lankan peace process to request industry, investments, tourism, higher educa- South Africa to host a round of peace talks tion, and arts and culture. At a multilateral between Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of level, the AU, NEPAD and the Non-Aligned Tamil Eelam, during the latter half of 2003. Movement (NAM) were discussed. For South Africa, as part of the Indian Ocean Bilateral agreements signed included the Rim (IOR), which encompasses the eastern following: African coastal countries, the Arabian • Agreement on the Reciprocal Protection and Peninsula, south-east Asia, Australia and the Promotion of Investments Indian subcontinent, the Indian Ocean Rim • Agreement on Merchant Shipping and Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR- Maritime-Related Matters ARC) is considered an important regional eco- • Letter of Intent for Co-operation in the Field nomic entity. The IOR-ARC Initiative, currently of Transport and Transportation backed by 19 countries including South Africa, • MoU on Air Services creates an opportunity for countries of the • Protocol of Intent on Co-operation in the South to serve their economic interests. Fields of Science and Technology. On 5 November 2002, President Mbeki The JBC preceded a State Visit to Libya by delivered the closing address at the closing President Mbeki. The leaders agreed on the session of the eighth Association of South-East necessity of promoting bilateral co-operation Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Phnom between the two countries to realise the Pehn, where he briefed Asian leaders on mutual aspirations of their people. NEPAD. An Asian and African Subregional Relations with Asia Organisations’ Conference was held in and the Middle East Bandung, Indonesia, in July 2003 – about 45 years after the historic 1955 Asia-Africa Asia Conference – to promote economic, cultural South Africa values its relations with Asian and political co-operation. countries. Since 1994, South Africa’s inter- Singapore serves as an important econom- action with Asia has seen a manifold increase. ic and trading hub in the south-east Asian
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region. South Africa’s bilateral trade with forums such as the Commonwealth and NAM. Singapore is substantial, with trade in 2002 Malaysia continues to be very supportive of amounting to R4 billion. South Africa’s efforts to enhance South-South In addition to providing South Africa with co-operation and ensure that the needs of the valuable opportunities for HRD through its South are addressed in international forums. Technical Co-operation Programme, Singapore Malaysia has also indicated its support for also enjoys ongoing defence co-operation with NEPAD and has sought to promote the South Africa. Malaysian-initiated Langkawi International Thailand currently chairs the United Na- Dialogue aimed at expanding co-operation tions Conference on Trade and Development among countries of the South, including those (UNCTAD), after having taken over the chair- in southern Africa. personship from South Africa in April 2001. Through its intensive Technical Co-operation South Africa continues to interact closely Programme, Malaysia has provided HRD train- with Thailand on the UNCTAD. Bilateral trade ing opportunities to numerous South Africans in 2002 amounted to R5 billion. Thailand also across a wide range of disciplines. took over the chairpersonship of the Asia- Ten years ago there were no South African Pacific Economic Co-operation in December Missions located in the south and central 2002. The year 2002 marked the 10th Asian regions. In fact, South Africa had no anniversary of the establishment of consular diplomatic relations with states in this region. relations between South Africa and Thailand. Today, there are resident High Commissions in High-level visitors from Thailand in 2002 New Delhi and Islamabad, and a Consulate- included Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol, who General in Mumbai. South Africa has diplomat- led the Thai delegation to the WSSD. ic relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam plays an increasingly important India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, role in south-east Asia and has vast econom- Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turmenistan ic potential and opportunities for mining, and Uzbekistan. In addition, India, Pakistan, Sri infrastructure development and agricultural Lanka and Bangladesh have resident Missions and manufacturing companies. Bilateral trade in South Africa. with Vietnam in 2000 amounted to R206 mil- The events of 11 September 2001 focused lion. South Africa established an Embassy the world’s attention on Afghanistan and the in Hanoi in October 2002. The year 2002 campaign against international terrorism. saw a visit by the Vietnamese Vice-Minister of South Africa continues to monitor develop- Trade to South Africa, while the Vietnamese ments, and encourages South African individ- Minister of Foreign Affairs also attended the uals and organisations to become involved in WSSD. reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Economic relations with Malaysia and During recent months, the South African Indonesia remain important, due to Malaysian Liaison Office for Afghanistan was established, investment in South Africa and the size of the headed by the current South African High Indonesian market. Malaysian investment has Commissioner to Pakistan. The Transitional focused on the hospitality, telecommunica- Islamic State of Afghanistan is represented by tions and energy industries, while trade with the Honorary Consul for Afghanistan, who is Malaysia amounted to R5,6 billion in 2002. based in Cape Town. Bilateral trade with Indonesia amounted to South Africa has also encouraged peace R2,9 million in 2002. efforts in Sri Lanka and between India and South Africa and Malaysia enjoy close co- Pakistan over Kashmir. Late in 2002, delega- operation within the multilateral field in tions from India and Pakistan briefed South
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Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Aziz Pahad, Africa and India are currently negotiating a and the Deputy President on the status of Preferential Trade Agreement. India-Pakistan relations and the sensitive issue The Indian Ministry of External Affairs of Kashmir. launched a Focus Africa Programme during A number of South Africans have participa- 2002, which is aimed at enhancing economic ted in and benefited from training pro- and commercial ties between India and grammes conducted by countries such as African countries. India’s expertise in areas India and Pakistan. Military personnel from such as agriculture, ICT and health, offers Pakistan and India have also benefited from great potential for NEPAD-related projects. training programmes conducted by the South President Mbeki paid a State Visit to India African Defence College. in October 2003 to foster the already close A number of South African business delega- relationship between the two countries. tions have visited Afghanistan, India and Sri The central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Lanka. During March 2003, the South Africa- Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka Business Council was officially Uzbekistan are receiving increased attention, opened by the visiting Sri Lankan Minister of and South Africa is considering opening a Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy, and Mission in the region in the near future. the Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Prof. Economic opportunities exist in the region, Gamini Peiris. particularly in the mining sector. In July 2003, South Africa hosted the fifth An Air Services Agreement with Maldives session of the South Africa-India Joint awaits signature, as do a Trade Agreement Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Pretoria. Trade with Bangladesh and a Partnership Forum between the two countries exceeded R6,9 bil- Agreement with Sri Lanka. lion in 2002, with the balance in South Africa’s South Africa maintains active and mutually favour. beneficial relations with Australia and New India is currently South Africa’s sixth largest Zealand, and non-residential accreditation in trading partner in Asia. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and the Cook An increasing number of cultural groups Islands. from India have recently visited South Africa. With regard to Fiji, South Africa was, through In 2003, the South African musical production the appointment of Justice Pius Langa, of African Footprint enjoyed a successful tour instrumental in assisting Fiji in the process of of India. democratisation, following the ousting of the The Indian International Film Academy legitimate government in a coup in May 2000. Awards (IIFA) ceremony took place at Sun City, In July 2002, President Mbeki visited Fiji for North West in 2002, and was followed with an the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) equally successful IIFA awards ceremony held Summit. at the Dome in Randburg in May 2003. South South Africa is Australia’s 20th largest Africa is becoming a destination of interest for export market and 22nd largest trading Indian film-makers. partner. Total exports to Australia in 2002 The India-South Africa Commercial Alliance amounted to R4,4 billion, and imports from met for the second time in Pretoria, in June Australia amounted to R6,6 billion with the 2002. A variety of opportunities for bilateral trade balance favouring Australia. Cultural, co-operation and increased trade were identi- institutional, political and trade relations have fied in, among others, the pharmaceutical, expanded rapidly since 1994. engineering, information communications In the multilateral field, the two countries technology (ICT) and chemical sectors. South are members of most of the major southern
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hemisphere organisations and share similar South African exports in 2000 totalled views on most international issues such as R3,5 billion, R3,8 billion in 2001, and R4,2 bil- disarmament, agriculture and trade in food lion in 2002. South African imports in 2000 products, fishing, protection of marine totalled R4,9 billion, R5,9 billion in 2001, and resources, Antarctica, and fair international R5,7 billion in 2002. trade. Bilateral relations with the People’s Australia and New Zealand are both Republic of China (PRC) have expanded sub- eager to strengthen relations, especially trade stantially since the establishment of diplomat- and investment, with South Africa. This will ic relations in 1998. also be pivotal in enhancing relations with A broad range of agreements to formalise southern Africa. New Zealand maintains a relations has been concluded between South High Commission in Pretoria, while the High Africa and the PRC. Of specific importance Commission in Canberra represents South was the signing of the Pretoria Declaration Africa in New Zealand. The establishment of a between President Jiang Zemin and President resident High Commission in Wellington is Mbeki in April 2000. The Declaration served to imminent. establish a high-level BNC between the two Since 1994, political, economic and social countries. The inaugural meeting was held in links between the two countries have Beijing in December 2001. The second BNC improved significantly. In 1996, the Cape Town was scheduled to take place in February 2004 Communiqué was signed, which seeks to in Pretoria. In an effort to address the problem strengthen co-operation between South Africa of transnational crime, South Africa and China and New Zealand. The political relationship concluded an Agreement on Extradition and has been further strengthened by numerous Mutual Legal Assistance in December 2001. high-level delegations that have visited New To further facilitate co-operation in this field, Zealand, to gain expertise in their different the two countries signed the Mutual Legal fields and exchange knowledge to enhance Assistance in Criminal Matters Agreement in capacity-building in central, provincial and January 2003. local government structures. Total bilateral trade between China and Prime Minister Helen Clarke came to South Africa reached R18,74 billion in 2001 South Africa in August/September 2002 for with the balance in favour of the PRC. the WSSD and a working visit. The establishment of a Consulate-General South Africa and New Zealand enjoy wide- in Shanghai in November 2002 was expected ranging multilateral relations. Both are to stimulate bilateral trade interaction, in members of the Valdivia Group, which aims to particular South African exports to China. promote southern hemisphere views in inter- A working visit to South Africa by China’s national environmental meetings and the Premier, Zhu Gongji, in September 2002, and enhancement of scientific co-operation. an official visit by First Vice-Premier Li Langing They enjoy a close working relationship in January 2003, added momentum to the within the context of the Antarctic Treaty and development of relations between South Africa Indian Ocean Fisheries, and also interact and China in almost every arena. within the context of the WTO and the Cairns During the Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Group. South Africa and New Zealand also China-Africa Co-operation Forum, held in work closely on Commonwealth issues, parti- November 2003 in Addis Ababa, China reaf- cularly those affecting Africa. firmed its support for the objectives of NEPAD. Bilateral trade between the two countries In an effort to promote tourism to South has been growing steadily since 1994. Africa from China, the authorities in Beijing
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have granted Approved Destination Status • promote regional co-operation and integra- (ADS) to South Africa. The ADS Agreement was tion through support for regional and sub- signed in October 2002. The first group of regional groupings and organisations Chinese tourists under this dispensation • promote South-South co-operation in arrived in South Africa in April 2003. general, and Asia-African co-operation in Hong Kong continues to be an important particular, through the exchange of experi- gateway to China and much of South Africa’s ence and knowledge. trade with the PRC is channelled through the NEPAD is set to continue featuring strongly as territory. A significant number of South African a central issue in Africa’s relationship with companies and financial institutions maintain Japan. offices in Hong Kong, and South African During 2002, the Japanese implementation Airways operates direct flights to the territory of a series of ODA projects continued, espe- from Johannesburg. cially in the health, education, and safe water- The African Business Chamber, which was management sectors. established in 2001, serves as a forum for South Africans also benefitted from HRD the discussion of ways in which business-ties courses provided by the Japan International between Hong Kong and African countries Co-operation Agency. may be strengthened. Japan continues to be South Africa’s most Notwithstanding the absence of diplomatic important trade partner in Asia. Bilateral trade relations, South Africa and Taiwan continue in 2002 totalled R43,9 billion, with the balance with trade, scientific, cultural and other rela- in South Africa’s favour. tions, and Taiwanese investors in South Africa South Korea remains an important trade continue to enjoy full protection under South partner of South Africa in Asia. In 2002, bila- African law, as well as all the other benefits teral trade amounted to R10 billion. extended to foreign investors. South Korea continued to assist South In 2002, Japan and South Africa met for the Africa with HRD in specialised sectors in 2002. fifth Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum meeting in Tokyo, during which bilateral and The Middle East multilateral issues of interest and concern In the Middle East, the Department of Foreign were discussed. Affairs distinguishes between two clearly President Mbeki, accompanied by the identifiable subregions. On one hand, there is Minister of Foreign Affairs led a South African the Levant, which comprises Israel, Iraq, delegation comprising senior government offi- Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria, and on cials to the International Conference on Africa the other hand, the Arabian/Persian Gulf Development (TICAD III) in September 2003. Region, consisting of the member states of TICAD is an initiative for African develop- the Gulf Co-operation Council, namely ment, launched in 1993 through the joint Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, efforts of the Japanese Government, the UN the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as Iran and the Global Coalition for Africa. and Yemen. The primary goals of TICAD are to: The Middle East is an important economic • promote high-level policy dialogue between region as it occupies a unique geopolitical African leaders and their trade partners position in the tricontinental hub of Europe, • mobilise support for Africa’s own develop- Asia and Africa. It is the source of 67% of the ment efforts world’s petroleum reserves and commands • strengthen co-ordination among all develop- two of the most strategically important water- ment partners ways in the world, namely the Arabian/Persian
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Gulf and the Red Sea, giving access to the market, and at the same time serves as a Asian hinterland via the Gulf of Aqaba. potential strategic source of foreign direct South Africa places strong emphasis on the investment (FDI) which is essential if NEPAD is expansion of diplomatic representation and to succeed. activities in this region, where it was formerly Overall bilateral trade between South underrepresented, particularly in the area of Africa and the Middle East increased in Rand trade, which has grown significantly since terms from R32 059 billion in 2000 to 1994. R35 503 billion in 2001. Unfortunately, The South African Consulate-General in because of South Africa’s energy imports Jeddah, in addition to performing important from the region, South Africa has a large functions relating to the promotion of deficit in respect of trade with the Middle trade, also serves the South African Muslim East. In 2001, the country’s trade with that community on their annual pilgrimage to region represented 7,54% of South Africa’s Mecca. total international trade. Before 1994, South Africa’s relations with South Africa’s leading trade partners in the the Middle East were characterised by a lack region are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, of diplomatic representation in the entire Israel and the UAE. region, with a concentration only on links with The importance of the Middle East to South Israel. After the advent of democracy in 1994, Africa can also be seen in the growing this changed significantly, to the point where number of bilateral agreements that are today South Africa is accepted as a meaning- being concluded between South Africa and ful political interlocutor in the region. countries of the region. These cover the fields South Africa supports a just, equitable and of civil aviation, avoidance of double taxation, comprehensive peace process in the Middle protection of investments, scientific co- East and an end to the illegal occupation of operation, and defence. land that has led to conflict and violence The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs visited between the peoples of the region. Peace the Middle East and Gulf regions, as well as and security for the Israelis and the Saudi Arabia and the City of Kuwait, in mid- Palestinians cannot be achieved without the 2003. fulfilment of the inalienable right of the In Saudi Arabia, Deputy Minister Pahad met Palestinian people to self-determination with- with Dr Hasim Yamani, the Minister of Trade in their own sovereign State. and Industry; Dr Nizar Madani, the Assistant Based on its own experiences, South Africa Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr Khaled Al- continues to maintain that violence can never Jarallah, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs provide solutions to intractable conflicts. in Kuwait. Inasmuch as this applies to Palestine and Discussions focused on post-war Iraq, the Israel, it also applies to the situation in Iraq. Middle East Road Map for Peace, and the A just solution that involves co-operation impact of both situations on regional and between Iraq and the UN is an objective global peace and security. which South Africa continues to work for in its The Saudi Arabian Government established interaction with all parties involved. an interministerial committee, chaired by South Africa aims to utilise its political Minister Yamani, to facilitate the relationship access to enhance, broaden and consolid- between the two countries. ate its commercial and technical links with Deputy President Zuma and Deputy Minister the region. The Middle East holds great Pahad paid an official visit to Turkey in potential for South Africa as an export October 2003.
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Deputy President Zuma held bilateral Relations with discussions with Turkish Prime Minister, the Americas Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the following issues: United States of America • the expansion and consolidation of bilateral The promotion of economic relations with political and economic relations the USA, particularly in trade and investment, • the operationalisation of the AU and the remained a central element of the bilateral implementation of NEPAD relationship in 2002/03. The trade relationship • multilateral issues including post-war Iraq, continued to expand, with total trade for 2001 the escalation of conditions in the Middle in excess of US$7,25 billion, making the USA East, reform of the UN, and the global fight South Africa’s largest single trading partner. against terrorism. South Africa expanded its exports to the FDI from Turkey in South Africa amounts to USA in 2001 under the General System of US$60 million. Preferences (GSP) Programme through the During the visit, several agreements were African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the signed between the two countries, including value of which was in excess of US$400 million. agreements on trade and economic co-opera- US President George W. Bush visited South tion; co-operation in the fields of education, Africa in July 2003. arts and culture, science and technology, Issues on the agenda for discussion sport, recreation and youth affairs; and police between Presidents Bush and Mbeki included co-operation. bilateral economic relations between the On 14 September 2003, the State of Qatar two countries, NEPAD, conflict on the African and South Africa signed an agreement for the continent, Zimbabwe, the global war on terror- development of a large-scale fuel grade ism, and HIV/AIDS. methanol project, targeting an output of 12 000 The importance of the AGOA in enhancing to 15 000 t per day. trade between the two countries was high- South Africa has consistently called for lighted. Exports from South Africa to the the immediate implementation of the USA under AGOA increased by 45% during Middle East Road Map for Peace without pre- 2002. conditions, and states that peace between The USA pledged support for South Africa’s Israel and the Arab States is in the country’s increased fight against HIV/AIDS, committing national interest. To this end, an active US$15 billion over a period of five years to the programme of support has been undertaken global fight against the pandemic. under the auspices of the Presidential Peace Initiative. The key strategic engagement Canada of South Africa with the Middle East South Africa and Canada enjoy cordial rela- conflict, as clearly shown by the Spier tions. Considerable co-operation also occurs Presidential Peace Retreat in January 2002, between the two countries on a multilateral remains the strengthening of ‘peace camps’ in level and within international forums. both Israel and Palestine, sharing the South A number of South African Cabinet Ministers African experience with a wide section of and officials have visited Canada in recent Israeli and Palestinian civil society and years and have held discussions with their government officials; as well as assisting in Canadian counterparts on bilateral and multi- the Palestinian reform process and supporting lateral issues. Canada has played a leading international peace efforts, particularly role in co-ordinating and formulating the G-8 through the UN. response to NEPAD.
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In November 2003, President Mbeki paid President Mbeki, accompanied by the a State Visit to Canada. Canada became Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the first country to create a fund to support Public Enterprises, Mr Jeff Radebe, visited NEPAD. Jamaica in July 2003. The purpose of the State It has indicated its support for NEPAD in a Visit was for President Mbeki, as then chairper- concrete fashion, through the scrapping of son of the AU, to address the Carribean tariffs for least-developed countries and the Regional Economic Community in Caricom. creation of a C$500 million Fund for Africa. President Mbeki also held bilateral discus- Furthermore, Canada made available sions with his Caricom Heads of Government C$6 billion in ODA over a five-year period. counterparts from the Bahamas, St Vincent Canadian civil society has also indicated and the Grenadines, Haiti, St Kitt and Nevis, strong support for, and interest in, NEPAD. and Belize, with a view to boosting bilateral Trade and investment between the two political, economic and cultural relations countries has grown steadily since 1994, with between South Africa and Jamaica as well as mining remaining the mainstay of the eco- between South Africa and the Caricom. nomic relationship. In 2002, bilateral trade amounted to more Latin America than R4 billion per annum. South Africa’s relations with the countries of This includes not only trade in raw material, the South American region are entering an but also in the field of mining equipment, important and dynamic period of develop- technology, services and joint ventures. Growth ment. South Africa maintains formal diplomat- has also occurred in the areas of agroprocess- ic relations with all the countries of Latin ing and ICT. America. Canada is active in the field of development Latin America’s population of about co-operation in South Africa. Its technical- 300 million, as well as its various economic assistance programme is aimed at fostering blocs, such as Mercosur (Southern Common social upliftment, policy development and Market) and the Andean Community, will HRD. The Canadians have made a significant ensure the region’s increasing importance to contribution towards good governance and South Africa. education in South Africa, through a twinning There is great potential for co-operation programme that links six Canadian provinces with the Mercosur trading bloc, which consists to six South African provinces. of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with Bolivia and Chile having associate status. The Caribbean Co-operation in the South Atlantic is further South Africa’s relations with the independent enhanced through the Zone of Peace and member states of the Caribbean Community Co-operation in the South Atlantic (ZPCSA). have been strengthened and expanded The aims and objectives of the ZPCSA include through the fully operational South African the protection of the marine environment and High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica. In resources, the promotion of the South Atlantic addition to Jamaica, the High Commission as a nuclear-free zone, and joint business also maintains responsibility for Antigua and ventures. Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, In December 2000, a Framework Agreement Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, for the Creation of an FTA between South Guyana, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Africa and Mercosur was signed by the South Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and African Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alec Trinidad and Tobago. Erwin. The aim of the Agreement was to
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strengthen existing relations, promote the Missions in Europe, while these countries expansion of trade, and establish the condi- are, in turn, represented by more than 50 tions for the creation of a future FTA. Embassies and Consulates-General or Trade Several rounds of discussions towards the Missions in South Africa. establishment of an FTA have taken place Collectively, western Europe is South Africa’s since the first talks in Montevideo, Uruguay, in largest trading partner and main source of FDI October 2001. and development assistance. Regular consul- The second South Africa-Cuba JBC took tations with the EU and its member countries place in November 2002 in Havana, which take place with regard to the continued and reviewed existing bilateral co-operation pro- possible expansion of their constructive jects and the extension of co-operation to new involvement in South Africa. areas. In April 2002, the first South Africa-Cuba In order to enhance co-operation with Consultative Mechanism reviewed bilateral European countries, a variety of political and and multilateral issues. The Minister of Foreign economic mechanisms such as binational Affairs visited Cuba in January 2003, where and economic commissions have been estab- she was honoured by the Cuban Government lished with the United Kingdom (UK), France, with the Medal of Friendship. The Minister held Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy and Portugal. a bilateral meeting with her Cuban counter- Mechanisms to step up bilateral political part, Mr Felipe Perez Roque. consultations have also been created with a Relations with Brazil were given further number of Nordic countries. impetus with the inaugural meeting of the Multilateral interaction with Europe contin- South Africa-Brazil JBC in Brasilia, in August ues on issues such as globalisation, market 2002. This encompassed political discussions access, debt relief, the role and reform of the between the respective Foreign Affairs UN Security Council, disarmament and human Ministers, as well as discussions on co- rights. The establishment of a constructive operation between line-function departments North-South dialogue is of particular import- in a variety of technical fields. The second ance to South Africa. meeting, held in Pretoria in May 2003, cement- Relations with Germany have expanded ed these ties and laid the basis for expanded considerably since the introduction of the co-operation. South African-German BNC in 1996, as the In November 2003, President Mbeki hosted committees of the Commission now work his Brazilian counterpart, President Lula Da continuously to enhance political, economic, Silva, for bilateral discussions. Brazil is scientific, cultural and environmental co- South Africa’s largest trading partner in Latin operation. America. Africa is the main focus of German develop- ment co-operation initiatives. Germany has Relations with Europe pledged its firm support for NEPAD, with priority areas being conflict prevention and South Africa’s bilateral relations with Europe good governance. have improved and expanded significantly The fourth session of the South African- since 1994. Exchanges have continuously German BNC took place on 30 October 2003 increased in terms of high-level political in Pretoria. consultation, economic relations and develop- South Africa and the UK continue to build a ment assistance. South Africa currently main- special partnership. President Mbeki and tains diplomatic relations with virtually all Prime Minister Tony Blair met on several occa- countries in Europe. South Africa has 25 sions in 2002 and there have been numerous
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meetings between Cabinet Ministers of the on multilateral issues such as the banning of two countries. The UK has shown strong anti-personnel mines. support for NEPAD, the AU and conflict resolu- Two South African-Nordic Summits between tion in Africa, and has maintained its position President Mbeki and the Nordic Prime as one of South Africa’s most significant trade Ministers were held in 2000 and 2002 to dis- partners, the largest single foreign investor in cuss ways in which to expand relations further. South Africa, and a major source of tourism. These Summits also pledged Nordic support Bilateral relations between South Africa and for the African Renaissance and Nordic France are directed by institutionalised involvement in NEPAD. mechanisms, such as the MoU for Political South Africa maintains excellent bilateral Dialogue, as well as joint commissions on relations with the Benelux countries (Belgium, trade and industry, arts and culture, and the Netherlands and Luxembourg). This is, science and technology. inter alia, reflected in the increase in high-level People-to-people relations have expanded visits, co-operation in multilateral forums, dramatically and there have been regular and the number of development-assistance exchanges of cultural, art and sports groups. programmes being implemented in South President Jacques Chirac is a staunch Africa. The commitment of the Benelux supporter of the AU and NEPAD, especially in countries to the objectives and ideals of the the context of the G-8. France demonstrated AU and NEPAD is underscored by the close its commitment to Africa by hosting the interaction with South Africa in the promotion Special Summit in the Cote d’Ivoire from 25 to of peace and security on the African continent. 26 January 2003, the Franco-Africa Summit Both the Netherlands and Belgium are provid- from 20 to 21 February 2003, and the G-8 ing political and financial support for South meeting with Heads of State of Emerging Africa’s role in conflict-resolution and peace- Market Economies and the NEPAD Heads of keeping operations in the Great Lakes region. State Implementation Committee meeting on In September 2003, Deputy President Zuma 1 June 2003. paid an official visit to the Netherlands and On 26 June 2003, Dr Dlamini-Zuma and her Spain. The Deputy President’s delegation French counterpart, Mr Dominique De Villepin, included the Minister of Justice, Dr Penuell held bilateral discussions in Parliament in Maduna, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Cape Town, before signing an agreement on Affairs. technical assistance. In the context of South Africa’s key role in President Mbeki paid a State Visit to France conflict resolution, management and preven- in November 2003. tion, arbitration, as well as peace-keeping on The historic links between South Africa and the African continent, the delegation inter- the Nordic countries have further deepened in acted with legal multilateral institutions in the recent years. Flowing from the strong grass- Netherlands, including the Permanent Court of roots support in these countries for democra- Arbitration, the International Court of Justice, tisation in South Africa, relations have been the International Criminal Court and The established in virtually every field at both pub- Hague Convention on International Private lic and official levels. Law. The scope of Nordic development co- Deputy President Zuma’s delegation to operation relations is broad and has benefited Madrid, Spain, included the Minister of civil society and the three tiers of government Intelligence Services, Dr Lindiwe Sisulu, the throughout the country. Relations in the inter- Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms national arena have seen close co-operation Lindiwe Hendricks, and the Deputy Minister of
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Foreign Affairs. The visit focused on deepening enhance co-operation on joint initiatives with- economic and political ties between South in the context of the AU and NEPAD. Africa and Spain. These initiatives include key areas such The Deputy President held bilateral discus- as humanitarian assistance, international sions with Spain’s First Deputy Prime Minister, humanitarian law, development assistance, Mr Rodrigo Rato, to discuss: governance, private-enterprise promotion and • the current status of, and prospects for, economic development. further expansion of bilateral relations, and Deputy President Zuma co-chaired the third steps to expand economic ties session of the South Africa-Swedish BNC with • NEPAD and the AU his Swedish counterpart, Ms Margareta • conflict resolution and peace-keeping on Winburg, in October 2003. the African continent. The BNC focused on discussions centred Spain is one of South Africa’s major trading around its three committees, namely Political partners. Between 1999 and 2002, Spain Affairs, Economic Affairs, and Social and invested R2 020 billion in South Africa. Development Co-operation Affairs. The President of the Republic of Italy, South Africa’s exports to Sweden increased Mr Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, received President from R231 million in 1999 to R736 million in Mbeki during the G-8 Summit in July 2001. 2002. Sweden exported goods to the value of President Ciampi was subsequently invited R3,31 billion to South Africa in 2002. to pay a State Visit to South Africa in March Figures provided by the Swedish 2002. This was a successful visit during which International Development Agency show that Italian support for NEPAD, the WSSD, the fight Swedish investments in South Africa since against HIV/AIDS, increased levels of the ODA 1994 exceed R800 million in 80 companies and the transfer of technology was pledged. employing more than 1 200 people. President Constantinos Stephanopoulos of Sweden is one of the top five donors to the Hellenic Republic, accompanied by a South Africa. trade delegation, paid a State Visit to South Africa in October 2002. He expressed support Multilateral diplomacy for socio-economic upliftment through NEPAD, increased levels of trade and investment, and South Africa is a full participant in the debates targeted ODA projects. on global issues in international forums On 26 May 2003, South Africa and Austria and organisations such as the UN, the signed a co-operation agreement on safety Commonwealth and NAM. Among the multi- and security issues. tude of issues that are dealt with are UN A South African delegation, comprising reform; South Africa’s role in peace-keeping President Mbeki, the Minister of Trade and operations and disarmament issues; the Industry and the Deputy Minister of Foreign global development debate; negotiations with Affairs, travelled to Switzerland in June 2003, the EU; the future of NAM; the implementation for bilateral discussions with the Swiss delega- of Agenda 21 and the treaties that flow from tion comprising the Swiss President, Mr Pascal it, such as those on biodiversity and climate Couchepin; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, change, international drug control, inter- Ms Micheline Calmy-Rey; and the Minister of national measures to combat crime, good Economic Affairs, Mr Joseph Deiss. governance, human rights and humanitarian A Declaration of Intent on joint co-operation assistance. in Africa was signed by Ministers Erwin and The country’s active and full involvement Calmy-Rey. The aim of the Declaration is to in initiatives such as the renegotiation of the
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SACU, the South African-Britain Bilateral operation Agreement (TDCA) governs South Forum and new structures in the WTO, Africa’s relations with the EU. At regional and also places South Africa in a good position continental levels, several processes relate to ensure that not only trade, but also Africa (South Africa included, and playing a development is addressed in its international very significant role) to the EU. These include relations. the Berlin Process, Cairo Process, the CPA and NEPAD. International organisations Following the first democratic election in 1994, the South African Government started a United Nations process of reintegrating the economy into the Since its readmission to the UN in 1994, South world economy. To this end, South Africa Africa has fully participated in and contributed needed to urgently spur its economic growth to international organisations, treaties and by attracting investments and securing market conventions concerned with global policies. It access for goods and products. The EU has played an active role in several General Council of Ministers then called for a package Assembly working groups tasked with the of immediate measures to support South appraisal of UN reforms as well as the restruc- Africa’s transition to democracy. These meas- turing of the Security Council. ures included granting South Africa improved South Africa’s name has consistently market access through the GSP in the short appeared on the Secretary-General’s ‘Roll of term, with an offer to negotiate a long-term Honour’ of countries that pay their dues trade and co-operation agreement with the timeously. EU. Encouraged by this offer, South Africa President Mbeki, accompanied by the requested to become a standard beneficiary of Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented South both the industrial and agricultural GSP which Africa at the 58th Session of the UN General is offered to developing countries. South Africa Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September also indicated preference to accede to the 2003. Lomé Convention, thus benefiting from the President Mbeki addressed the General unilateral trade regime of the ACP states. The Debate of UNGA on issues of international, European Commission and the Council of regional and national significance. South Africa Ministers of the EU rejected South Africa’s will serve as vice-chairperson of the Economic request for a long-term trade arrangement and Financial Committee of UNGA. This follows under the aegis of the Lomé Convention. South Africa's chairpersonship of the Special Instead, the EU Council of Ministers’ meeting Political and Decolonisation Committee during in June 1995 adopted negotiating directives UNGA 57. proposing progressive and reciprocal liberali- sation of trade with South Africa, in order to European Union establish an FTA. South Africa relates to the EU at various levels After more than 20 formal sessions of nego- and in many forums. The most important of tiations, South Africa and the EU reached these relations is the bilateral relationship, broad agreement on the contents of the TDCA followed by the regional and continental in December 1998. The central component of dimensions. South Africa is also a signatory to the Agreement revolves around a tariff phase- the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA), down schedule for agricultural and industrial which is the basis for co-operation between products. In terms of the schedule, South the ACP group of states and the EU. Bilaterally, Africa will eliminate tariffs on 86% of EU the SA-EU Trade, Development and Co- exports to South Africa over a period of 12
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years. The EU, in turn, will eliminate tariffs on Research for Sustainable Development in 95% of South African exports to the EU over Cape Town from 29 July to 1 August 2002. In 10 years. In addition to the tariff-liberalisation this regard, the EU also released a total of schedule, agreement was reached on the 50,7 million Euro during the first half of 2003 numerous articles dealing with trade-related for research on sustainable development in issues such as intellectual property rights, ACP countries. competition policy and Rules of Origin. The The WSA negotiations were officially parties also agreed to co-operate in a number concluded in June 2000. The WSA provides of non-trade fields, such as the fight against for the mutual recognition of Geographical drugs and money laundering, and the protec- Indications and Trademarks. In this regard, a tion of data. special meeting was held between South The finalised SA-EU TDCA was signed on Africa and the EU during July 2001, which 11 October 1999 and provisionally entered culminated in a MoU. The latter, in turn, into force in January 2000. The TDCA now has resulted in the conclusion of the WSA, which to be ratified by all 15 EU member states. By was signed on 28 January 2002 in South mid-2003, the TDCA had been ratified by Africa. It has been implemented retroactively Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, from 1 January 2002 to ensure that no bene- Finland, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. fits are lost from the WSA. The TDCA is expected to substantially The first round of negotiations on a South increase South Africa’s trade with Europe. The Africa-EU Fisheries Agreement took place in EU is already South Africa’s largest trading Brussels on 5 March 2001. Soon after the partner while South Africa ranks as the EU’s negotiations started, both parties realised 15th largest trading partner. that they had been given irreconcilable It was intended that the TDCA would be mandates, and negotiations were formally complemented by three side agreements, suspended. However, negotiations on the namely the Science and Technology Agree- Fisheries Agreement may well be initiated ment, the Wines and Spirits Agreement (WSA), again when the European Commission’s (EC) and the Fisheries Agreement, in addition to the Common Policy on Fisheries is finalised. development co-operation instrument, the European Programme for the Reconstruction European Programme for Reconstruction and Development (EPRD) of South Africa. and Development The South Africa-EU Science and The TDCA provides the legal basis for contin- Technology Agreement was the first agreement ued EU support for development activities in to be reached between post-apartheid South South Africa, which is channelled through the Africa and the EU. It was signed in December EPRD. The EPRD is funded directly from the EU 1996 and entered into force in November budget with an annual budget of 127,5 million 1997. It allows South African researchers to Euro, and is the single largest development engage in collaborative research projects programme in South Africa financed by funded by the EU. A South Africa-EU Joint foreign donors. From 1995 to 1998, the EU Science and Technology Co-operation provided 43% of all foreign grant aid to South Committee was established to review colla- Africa. boration and develop initiatives to intensify Further assistance is supplied through soft co-operation. In order to further biregional loans from the European Investment Bank. dialogue on science and technology These funds are managed by the Industrial between the EU and ACP States, South Africa Development Corporation on behalf of govern- hosted the first ACP-EU Ministerial Forum on ment. The second co-operation strategy and
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implementation framework came to an end The CPA differs significantly from its prede- in December 2002. The 2003 to 2006 frame- cessor in that its duration will be 20 years, work of development co-operation will have with a revision clause every five years and a an indicative financial envelope of approxi- financial protocol for each five-year period. mately 126 million Euro per annum. The most far-reaching changes, however, are South Africa also interacts with the EU as a to be introduced in the sphere of trade, where member of the ACP Group, which consists of non-reciprocal preferences are gradually to be 79 countries. South Africa joined the Lomé abolished and replaced with WTO-compatible Convention as a qualified member, as it was trade arrangements. The present arrange- excluded from the trade regime as well as ments are to be maintained during a period of its provisions on development assistance. trade negotiations that will continue until the However, South Africans may tender for end of 2007. Formal negotiations for New projects in all ACP countries, and participate Economic Partnership Agreements – as the fully in all the political instruments of the post non-reciprocal arrangements will be Convention. called – started in September 2002 and The Lomé Convention governed relations will have entered into force by January 2008. between the ACP Group and the EU. South Africa is not a direct participant in Negotiations for a successor to the Lomé these negotiations, but assists the ACP in Convention, which expired in February 2000, an advisory capacity. In this regard, South were concluded, and the CPA was signed on Africa hosted the first ACP Trade Ministers’ 23 June 2000 in Cotonou. South Africa is again Committee Meeting in Johannesburg, in April only a qualified member of the CPA, as South 2001, as well as an SADC Ministers of Trade Africa’s economic relations with the EU are Meeting, in March 2003, to discuss the negoti- governed by the TDCA. ations at regional level. One of the key aspects of South Africa’s relations with the EU, within the framework of the ACP-EU partnership, is its active parti- President Thabo Mbeki participated in the cipation in the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Enlarged Dialogue during the G-8 Summit in Activities (JPA). South Africa hosted the Evian-les-bains, France, on 1 June 2003. The overall theme of the Enlarged Dialogue, fourth session of the ACP-EU JPA in March which brought together G-8 Heads of State and 2002 in Cape Town. At this session, the JPA Government and the Heads of State of 12 accepted a resolution on NEPAD, noting that selected developing countries, was International there was considerable scope for the ACP-EU Co-operation to Promote Economic Growth and Development. partnership to be effectively aligned with Economic development in Africa, sustainable NEPAD. It urged the EC to identify ways in development, and the ongoing global fight which, both directly and through the ACP-EU against terrorism were discussed. partnership, EU programmes could support Other issues on the agenda included: • macro-economic policies NEPAD. • development strategies South Africa’s relations with European • trade issues parliamentarians are also extensive, and • promotion of private investment • prevention of international and regional crises regular exchanges have taken place in this • Millennium Development Goals (e.g. water and regard. South Africa, then chairperson of the sanitation) AU, took a lead in ensuring that NEPAD was • implementation of healthcare programmes discussed on an ongoing basis with all EU and infrastructure • consistency of standards imposed by interna- member states, especially those that are also tional organisations. members of the G-8.
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The Commonwealth In his capacity as then chairperson of the The Commonwealth is a voluntary associa- Commonwealth, President Mbeki oversaw the tion of 54 sovereign states with a common successful conclusion of the High-Level political heritage. After the UN, with 185 Review Group on the Review of the Common- members, the Commonwealth is one of the wealth and its governance. world’s largest multilateral organisations. It The CHOGM reviewed global political issues, includes members of every major regional including the international fight against institution, economic zone and multilateral terrorism, HIV/AIDS, debt relief, private capital organisation. flows, WTO issues, and barriers to investment Its total population exceeds 1 500 million. in poor countries. The link in this union is the common use of the English language as well as elements of The Non-Aligned Movement the common culture, including sport, inherited The NAM is the second-largest grouping from the colonial past. of countries within the UN, comprising 115 South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in member states. It was founded in 1961 1994 after an absence of 33 years. The as a global voice for developing countries that Department of Foreign Affairs co-ordinates the felt excluded from international politics policy and objectives of the Government in the dominated by the superpowers of the time. Commonwealth. South Africa joined the Movement as a full The successful hosting of the Common- member in 1994, and assumed chairperson- wealth Heads of Government Meeting ship in September 1998, during the XII (CHOGM) in 1999 provided President Mbeki Summit Conference of Heads of State and with an opportunity to indicate South Africa’s Government of NAM, held in Durban. The position on development, trade, and the use of fundamental principles of the Movement ICT. The Fancourt Declaration resulted from include respect for the sovereignity and discussions at the Retreat of Commonwealth territorial integrity of all countries, the right to Heads during the CHOGM. The Declaration self-determination of all colonised peoples, marked an important milestone in the South and economic and cultural equality. African strategy to argue the case of the South As then chairperson of NAM, South Africa and to advance the cause of the African worked hard to strengthen dialogue with the Renaissance. developed countries on issues of interest to Commonwealth Heads of Government developing countries, and worked ceaselessly decided to establish a high-level group, with for multilateralism. At the Ministerial meeting the aim of reviewing the role of the Common- of NAM in Durban, South Africa agreed to wealth and advising on how best it could reposition the Movement to take advantage of respond to the challenges of the new century. new realities. Members of the group are Australia, India, The NAM also continues its long-standing Malta, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South support for the rights of the Palestinian Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK people, in international forums such as the and Zimbabwe. UN and the Organisation of the Islamic The review process has produced a number Conference. of proposals and decisions, which will have a The NAM has persistently called on Israel to major impact on the way the Commonwealth end its occupation of East Jerusalem, for the deals with the issues of conflict resolution and withdrawal of settlers from the occupied poverty reduction from a political, economic/ Palestinian territories, and to cease military developmental and social perspective. actions in the Palestinian territory.
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The NAM Committee on Palestine met twice Malaysia and Cuba. The meeting took place at Ministerial level with members of the NAM against the background of the decision of the Security Council Caucus in the space of one NAM Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur in year, to deliberate on ways to work together February 2003, to take the necessary steps with all the influential forces in the Middle East to ensure the revitalisation of NAM to meet for the attainment of just and lasting peace in the challenges of the 21st century. This the region. included lending its support to efforts Malaysia took over the chair of NAM from aimed at pushing back the frontiers of South Africa in February 2003. poverty and underdevelopment in developing South Africa hosted the NAM Foreign countries. Ministers’ meeting in the Western Cape in December 2002. Ministers from Algeria, United Nations Development Columbia, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Programme (UNDP) Jamaica, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Sri On 12 October 1994, the Government signed Lanka, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Secretary- the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement General of the League of Arab States, Mr Amre with the UNDP. The UNDP has an office in Moussax, attended. Pretoria, headed by its resident representative, In May 2003, Dr Dlamini-Zuma attended who is also the UN Resident Co-ordinator for the NAM Ministerial Troika held in France. all UN operational activities for development The NAM Troika comprises South Africa, in South Africa.
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Acknowledgements
BuaNews Department of Foreign Affairs www.gov.za Suggested reading
African Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution (1995, Durban, South Africa). State, Sovereignty and Responsibility: African Resolutions to African Problems. Durban: ACCORD, 1996. Chakoodza, A. M. International Diplomacy in Southern Africa from Reagan to Mandela. London:Third World, 1990. Change and South African External Relations. Editors:W. Carlsnaes and M. Muller. Johannesburg: International Thompson Publishing, 1997. Gill, R. et al. eds. Charting a New Course: Globalisation, African Recovery and the New Africa Initiative. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 2002. Mathoma, P., Mills, G. and Stremlau, J. eds. Putting People First: African Priorities for the UN Millennium Assembly. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 2000. Makgoba, M.W. African Renaissance:The New Struggle. Sandton: Mfube Publishing; Cape Town:Tafelberg, 1999. Malan, J.C. Conflict Resolution Wisdom from Africa. Durban: ACCORD, 1997. Mbeki,T. Africa:The Time Has Come. Cape Town:Tafelberg; Houghton: Mafube, 1998. Mills, G. ed. From Pariah to Participant: South Africa’s Evolving Foreign Relations, 1990 – 1994. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 1994. Mills, G. The Wired Model: South Africa, Foreign Policy and Globalisation. Cape Town:Tafelberg, 2000. Mollo, J.K. Diplomacy Protocol. Oaklands, Johannesburg:The Author, 1997. Payne, R.J. The Non-Superpowers and South Africa. Johannesburg:Witwatersrand University Press, 1990. Payne, R.J. Third World and South Africa: Post-Apartheid Challenges. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1992. Power,Wealth and Global Order. Editors: P.Nel and P.J.McGowan. Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press, 1999. Venancio, M. and Chan, S. Portuguese Diplomacy in Southern Africa, 1974 – 1994. Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, 1996.
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